New Aptera

[cfg83]

Cd -

Originally Posted by Cd

One of the things that strikes me as genius is the way that the car does not give up its aerodynamics, yet rides very high off of the ground.

This is not only great for safety,( from jacked up SUVs crashing into you ) but it also would help to make people that are used to SUVs ( a huge percentage of the American population ) more comfortable in the car.

Anyone else feel this way ?

Yes and no. I think that before the transition to FWD, the car was even *higher* off the ground. I don't think the previous ride-height was for "rider perception" concerns. From what I have read on other Ecomodder threads, this was probably done because an "airplane cigar body shape" performs better aerodynamically when it is higher off the ground.

From the latest pictures I am seeing, I think they lowered it. This implies to me that they compromised in the name of increased safety, i.e. lower Cd in the name of lower COG (Center Of Gravity). From my POV, these are the "trade-offs" that good engineers make.

Can someone prove/disprove my perception that the current Aptera design is now lower?

CarloSW2

[Cd]

I'm wondering how the Cd increased so much in the latest version.

I see that they added mirrors, and a shark fin style thing to the roof. Did these small changes really increase the drag this much ?

[Frank Lee]

Maybe they finally did a "real" drag analysis?

Before, they were using a computer simulation and throwing that figure around like it was gospel.

[roflwaffle]

They got a bit, eager, trying to get investors IMO. I figure ~150-200mpg@55mph average speed in the gas hybrid is a realistic guesstimate.

[gascort]

I would love to get one for my wife if they sold them here and if she'd go for it. I won't buy new cars for myself, plus her commute is 3x what mine is. A wonderful car and I really hope they do well.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

The things that probably contributed to the increase in Cd:

*Side mirrors

*Front wheel drive shafts

*Raised the bottoms of the wheel skirts

*Opening side windows

*Rear camera fin

*The overall front was modified: the windshield was moved rearward, and the front wheels were moved back, as well -- and the whole vehicle was lowered ~4-5" so the interaction with the ground is increased

Here's a comparison of the profiles:

[cfg83]

NeilBlanchard -

Thanks for 1,000 word shortcut!

CarloSW2

[NeilBlanchard]

Hiya,

They have updated their rollout date: the first Aptera 2e will out on January 16th -- just over a week from now! it will not be a "retail" unit -- in other words, it will probably go to someone in the company; likely Steve Fambro. Reading between the lines (of the letter they wrote to depositors about a "Lock-in" option they are offering), I think they will start delivering to the depositors during this quarter (Q1 09), and volume production by the end of the year.

Also, here are some higher resolution (rendering) images -- presumably, we'll see actual photos on the 16th! The first one shows the front wheel drive shafts:

[trikkonceptz]

The deviant in me asks if it is possible to buy one in California then resell it to someone outside the state?

[captainslug]

Originally Posted by trikkonceptz

The deviant in me asks if it is possible to buy one in California then resell it to someone outside the state?

Vehicle straw purchase?